Minimally Invasive and Laparoscopic Surgery

Minimally invasive diagnosis and surgery is widely considered the most significant achievement in the field of surgery in the past 15 years. Thanks to these techniques, it is possible to successfully carry out surgical operations with the assistance of video systems using very small incisions of approximately 1 centimeter.

While performing the operation, the surgeon in real-time observes his actions and the progress of the intervention on a special video monitor which provides much more clear and detailed images with the option to zoom and focus in on specific areas for greater precision.

Advantages of minimally invasive and laparoscopic surgery:

From a purely medical perspective, the advantages of these techniques are due to the small surgical incisions and the ability to increase resolution of the image to assist the surgeon to be more precise during the operation.

From the patient perspective, the patient can expect the following benefits:

Minimum bloodloss and trauma to the body

Minimized post-operative trauma

Quicker recovery period

Shorter overall hospital stay

A more rapid return to a normal active lifestyle

Better cosmetic results with very minimized post operative scars

What surgical interventions can be performed with mini-invasive techniques?

Mini-invasive techniques are being widely implemented into the field of conventional surgery and have replaced traditional techniques and are becoming the "gold standard" in many areas including:

Gall bladder and biliary tract operations

Hernia operations

Appendix operations

For more complex surgical procedures involving the liver, pancreas and other organs, minimally invasive surgery already has a long standing tradition which can be applied as superior alternative to conventional open surgery.

In regards to mini-invasive techniques to remove tumors and cancerous growths, on a global level numerous studies have been conducted to determine the effectiveness of mini-invasive surgery versus conventional techniques. These studies have indicated that mini-invasive techniques applied to oncology cases are equally reliable and effective as conventional surgery. Additionally, mini-invasive techniques have been shown to have an indisputable advantage over conventional surgery in the surgical treatment of colon cancer.

Medical specialty disciplines in which the department applies mini-invasive techniques:

The department is dedicated to continuous improvement and the implementation of mini-invasive surgical techniques in general surgery, emergency abdominal surgery, urology and gynecology.

General and abdominal surgery

The department offers diagnostic procedures and operations on the esophagus and stomach, including gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and surgical procedures to treat the large and small intestine, gall bladder and biliary tract, liver and all forms of hernias.

EMERGENCY SURGERY

The department provides diagnostic procedures and operations to address:

acute appendicitis

ulcer perforations

spleen perforations

The sector of minimal invasive surgery has all the necessary resources for diagnosis and modern treatment of diseases of all abdominal organs, retroperitoneal space and the anus. This creates a condition for operation with the least trauma, which is the basis for a rapid recovery of the patient, shorter hospital stay and faster return to daily activities.

Dr. Marinov graduated from the Sofia Medical University in 1997, and earned his specialty in surgery in 2003. After graduation he began working in the third surgery department in the general hospital Pirogov. During the period of 2002-2005, he worked in the university hospital Lozenetz. In 2005, he participated in a one-year specialization program for liver and pancreatic surgery in Essen, Germany, and as completed a course in transplantation surgery in New Castle, UK. Dr. Marinov has been a member of our department since we opened the hospital.

George Vassev MD, General and Laparoscopic Surgeon

After he finished his academic study he began his doctor’s career at First Surgery Ward of Regional Hospital of Pernik, Bulgaria (1994 - 1997). He continued his specialization in General Surgery Ward of First City Hospital of Sofia, Bulgaria (1997 - 2000), where he obtained the specialty “SURGERY” (1999). After that he was a Resident in the Clinic of Emergency Surgery and Clinic of Laparoscopic Surgery of the Higher Military Medical Institute, Bulgaria (2000 - 2006). He is a member of Tokuda Hospital Sofia, from the beginning of the hospital (2006).

He gained considerable experience in laparoscopic bariatric surgery during his work in Jaber Al Ahmed Armed Hospital, Kuwait (2010/11). For a while he was a member of the medical mission of EULEX during the recreation of the Republic of Kosovo (2013, 2014). He has a post graduating continuum in Bulgaria, Italy, Slovenia and Kuwait with topics: “General and operative surgery” (1999), “Ambulatory phlebectomy” (2004), “Laparoscopic surgery” (2005), “Groin hernia repair with hernia system” (2007), “Bariatric surgery” (2010).

Dr. Vassev’s professional interest is in applying of the methods of minimally invasive and laparoscopic surgery in the treatment in the abdominal and emergency surgery. He is a member of the Bulgarian Medical Association, Bulgarian Surgical Society and European Association of Endoscopic Surgery. Dr. Vassev speaks Bulgarian (native), Russian (very good), English (very good) and Arabic (basic, mainly medical) language.

Hospital location

The hospital has a parking lot. The first 30 min. are free of charge, then a fee of 3 bgn/hours applies.

Public transport:
Buses: №88, 120
Shuttle bus: 32

Subway: Getting off at "James Bourchier" station, after that walking through "Lozenets" distr., or tram №10, taking off at "Nikola I. Vaptsarov" stop. or a bus №88, taking ff at "Tokuda Hospital" stop.

From the Central Railway Station

With a subway, from "Central Railway Station" station, getting off at "James Bourchier" station, after that walking through "Lozenets" distr., or tram №10, taking off at "Nikola I. Vaptsarov" stop. or a bus №88, taking ff at "Tokuda Hospital" stop.